Virtual Reality-Based Rehabilitation Versus Conventional Therapy in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

Summary

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of rehabilitation using virtual reality compared with conventional physiotherapy in patients with chronic low back pain. The study will be conducted as a prospective, randomized controlled trial including 80 patients aged 40-65 years diagnosed with chronic low back pain lasting at least three months. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups: an experimental group receiving conventional rehabilitation supplemented with non-immersive virtual reality training using the Tecnobody Homing Studio system, and a control group receiving conventional rehabilitation alone. Both groups will participate in a four-week rehabilitation program. The virtual reality training will replace a portion of conventional exercises and will focus on improving movement quality, postural control, coordination, and functional mobility through interactive tasks with visual and auditory biofeedback. The system utilizes a 3D camera enabling markerless motion analysis and real-time visual feedback to support movement correction and identification of functional deficits. Outcome measures will include assessments of balance, posture, joint mobility, lower limb strength and endurance, pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, kinesiophobia, perceived stress, anxiety and depression, functional disability, quality of life, and motivation for physical activity. Measurements will be conducted at baseline, immediately after completion of the four-week rehabilitation program, and at an eight-week follow-up. The results of this study are expected to provide clinical evidence regarding the effectiveness of virtual reality-assisted rehabilitation in patients with chronic low back pain and may contribute to the development of evidence-based rehabilitation strategies incorporating digital technologies.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of chronic low back pain lasting at least 3 months
* Average pain intensity ≥4/10 during the previous week on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)
* Age between 40 and 65 years
* Ability to walk independently without assistive devices
* Functional disability related to low back pain defined as Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) ≥15%
* No contraindications to participation in a physiotherapy program or virtual reality training
* Ability to understand study procedures and follow instructions
* Written informed consent to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

* Acute low back pain or pain lasting less than 3 months
* Neurological, orthopedic, rheumatological, oncological diseases or active inflammatory conditions that may affect study outcomes
* Cognitive impairment limiting the ability to understand instructions or participate in rehabilitation
* Contraindications to virtual reality training such as severe dizziness, nausea, epilepsy, or severe visual or auditory impairment
* Contraindications to body composition analysis (e.g., implanted cardiac pacemaker or other electronic implants)
* Unstable medical condition or uncontrolled cardiovascular or respiratory disorders preventing participation in rehabilitation
* Participation in other rehabilitation programs during the study period
* Failure to complete the four-week rehabilitation program
* Lack of written informed consent

Conditions2

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